About storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan, regional, & national storytelling organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit the Bulletin Board page for the latest information.
An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of the email newsletter, "MI Story."

Pages

May 1, 2014

May 2014

* MI Story +
Storytelling Event Calendar
www.MichiganStorytelling.org
Free Since 2001
Yvonne Healy, Editor • Judy Sima, Distribution Editor
All events are located in Michigan unless otherwise noted.
Submission: Judy@JudySima.com by the 15th of the month.
May 2014
HIGHLIGHTS
** Registration is now open:
National Storytelling Conference July 25-28 in Phoenix , AZ www.storynet.org.
MI Story now lists monthly meetings of local storytelling groups and guilds. Visitors and new members welcome.

MAY
May 1, Detroit 4:30 pm doors open/7:00 pm stories begin
The monthly Moth Story Slam located at the bar Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit thanks to WDET 101.9. Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live without notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Note: adults only. Info: www.theMoth.org Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $5 at the door. This month’s theme is: “Blood, Sweat and Tears.”

May 3, Jackson 8:45 to 10:45 am
Jackson Storyfest -register for in-depth workshop with award winning storyteller, Judy Sima “Unleash the Power – Let Kids Tell.” $25 www.JacksonStoryFest.org. Join Judy as she presents practical ideas for helping young people become confident storytellers. Learn how to encourage them through games, activities, chants, a structured story-learning process, and how to take them on the road. If you are a teacher, librarian, storyteller or parent w/a desire to work w/kids, you’ll come away w/an extensive handout, a story, and ideas you can use tomorrow. Jackson District Library, Carnegie Branch Auditorium, 244 W. Michigan Ave.

May 3, Jackson 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Jackson Storyfest - Register for an in-depth storytelling workshop taught by national known storyteller and mime, Antonio Rocha. “Five Crazy Voices…One Million Characters.” $25 (or $50 for both workshops includes box lunch) at www.JacksonStoryFest.org. Join Antonio in this interactive workshop to discover the 5 different voice ranges (chest, neck, mouth, nose and head) to create fun characters. Great for all stories especially folk and fairy tales. The storyteller can have his/her own voice when narrating; however, it’s helpful and great fun to create voices for characters in a story.” Located at Jackson District Library, Carnegie Branch Auditorium, 244 W. Michigan Ave.

May 3, Denver, Co
Michigan’s Yvonne Healy is a featured presenter at the Rocky Mountain Storytelling Conference. Learn how to interview for oral histories and craft the material into an oral and a written story. Info: www.Rmstory.org

May 4, Detroit 3:00pm
Fifteen metro Detroit moms share their stories in “Listen to Your Mother” as part of a national program aimed at giving voice to the joys, complexity and struggles of motherhood. 10% of proceeds go to support Alternatives for Girls. St. Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress. Tickets $13 available online at www.concerts.livenation.com. For more information go to www.listentoyourmothershow.com

May 8, Montcalm 6:30-8:39 pm
Montcalm County Storyweavers: Welcomes new members to their monthly meetings. For information and location contact Georgia Schad 989-291-5518 gmschad@chartermi.net or Janet Wulf-Marvin 989-821-4168 wulfmarj@yahoo.com

May 10, Westland 2:00-3:30pm
Join award winning storyteller, Judy Sima, for her performance of “My Mother’s Voice.” Using stories about her mother and intriguing “Conversation Starters,” Judy helps you bring treasured memories of your family back to life. Westland Public Library, 6123 Central City Parkway. This program is presented in conjunction with 2013-2014 Great Michigan Read selection, “Annie's Ghosts.”

May 10, Hamtramck 6:00-7:00 pm
Stories and songs with local storyteller Phil Leslie. Free event at Lo & Behold Books, 10022 Joseph Campau. Traditional and original tales topped off with songs and jokes. Join us for a fun, intimate and interactive family show featuring special gues singer Katarina Quain of Wayne State’s choir. For more information: www.facebook.com/storieswithphil.

May 13, Grand Rapids 7:00-8:30 pm
All are welcome to the monthly meeting of the Story Spinners of Grand Rapids. Business meeting 7:00. Storytelling 7:30-8:30pm. At the Story Café, 444 Leonard NW. Contact storyspinners@gmail.com http://www.storyspinners.org/events.html.

May 14, Muskegon 7:00-9:00 pm
Muskegon Yarnspinners: welcome new members at their monthly meetings from October through May at the Hope Reformed Church, 1878 Evanston, (Corner of Quarterline and Evanston). Monthly meetings continue from June through September at members' homes. Contact Ned Carter, 231-755-2383 or email him at carteredwin93@yahoo.com

May 17, Detroit 12:00-300 pm
Detroit Story League invites you to enjoy our monthly meeting. Visitors welcome. 12:00 Bring a lunch - our hosts will provide coffee and dessert. 1:00 Enjoy stories and Installation of Officers, 2:30 Business meeting) Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 4800 Woodward Ave. (Southeast corner of Woodward and Warren) For information contact: Judy@JudySima.com or call: 248-644-3951

May 20, Sturgis 6:00 pm
Storyteller Lois Sprengnether Keel takes her audience back to 1914 as Liberetta Lerich Green and looks back even further to her Michigan pioneer parents who ran an Underground Railroad Station and her brothers fought in the Civil War. Sturgis District Library, 255 North Street. Contact: or 269-659-7224.

May 20, Ann Arbor 6:00 pm doors open/7:30 pm stories begin
Doors open at 6:00 for the monthly Moth Story Slam located at the bar Circus at 210 S. First Avenue, thanks to Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live without notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Info: www.theMoth.org Note: adults only. Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $6 at the door. This month’s theme is: “Animals”

May 24, Detroit 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Detroit Association of Black Storytellers invites you to attend their monthly meeting at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E Warren Ave. Join us for a story, workshop, refreshments and business meeting. www.detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com or call Pam Williams: 248-836-7499. New members welcome.

May 31, White Lake 7:00-9:30 pm
North Oakland County Storytellers presents the 4th Annual Storytelling & Song Concert, with special guest musicians: Maggie Ferguson/Floyd King & The Bushwackers (The Old Front Porch Radio Show WXOU-FM). $8.00 per person or $15.00 per family. Fisk Farm, 9180 Highland Rd. (M-59)

JUNE June 1, Detroit 4:00-6:00 pm
Detroit Association of Black Storytellers presents the DABS Men’s Concert “The Good Ol’ Days: Storytelling at it’s Finest” with Ivory Williams, James Graham, John Bellamy, Keir Jackson, Tone Ross and the Vision Choir. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in the General Motors Theater, 315 East Warren Ave. Tickets: $10 at the door.

June 1, Detroit 4:00-6:00 pm
The men of the Detroit Association of Black Storytellers are poised to present a unique Storytelling Concert that will rattle the emotions. Powerful & dynamic, humorous & thoughtful, these masters of the oral tradition will take us all back to “The Good Ol’ Days” at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 East Warren Ave. (313) 442-DABS (3227) Tickets $10 info@Detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com (313) 442- 3227)

June 2 - 23, Clarkston, 1:30-2:30 pm
Lois Sprengnether Keel leads storytelling activities focusing on use of imagination, creativity and humor rather than memory. This program provides fun interaction and communication opportunity for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Call the Senior Center at 248/625-8231 to register and information.

June 5, Detroit 4:30 pm doors open/7:00 pm stories begin
The monthly Moth Story Slam located at the bar Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit thanks to WDET 101.9. Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live without notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Note: adults only. Info: www.theMoth.org Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $5 at the door. This month’s theme is: “Celebration.”

June 10, Grand Rapids 7:00-8:30 pm
All are welcome to the monthly meeting of the Story Spinners of Grand Rapids. Business meeting 7:00. Storytelling 7:30-8:30pm. At the Story Café, 444 Leonard NW. Contact storyspinners@gmail.com http://www.storyspinners.org/events.html.

June 11, Montcalm 6:30-8:39 pm
Montcalm County Storyweavers: Welcomes new members to their monthly meetings. For information and location contact Georgia Schad 989-291-5518 gmschad@chartermi.net or Janet Wulf-Marvin 989-821-4168

June 11, Muskegon 7:00-9:00 pm
Muskegon Yarnspinners: welcome new members at their monthly meetings from October through May at the Hope Reformed Church, 1878 Evanston, (Corner of Quarterline and Evanston). Monthly meetings continue from June through September at members' homes. Contact Ned Carter, 231-755-2383 or email him at carteredwin93@yahoo.com

June 17, Ann Arbor 6:00 pm doors open/7:30 pm stories begin
Doors open at 6:00 for the monthly Moth Story Slam located at the bar Circus at 210 S. First Avenue, thanks to Michigan Public Radio. Prepare a 5 minute story on the theme, toss your name in the hat, and if your name is pulled, step up and tell your true personal story live without notes. Volunteers from the audience judge the stories. Info: www.theMoth.org Note: adults only. Language and topics are often unsuitable for children. Tickets $6 at the door. This month’s theme is: “Fathers”

June 22, Detroit 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Detroit Association of Black Storytellers invites you to attend their monthly meeting at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E Warren Ave. Join us for a story, workshop, refreshments and business meeting. www.detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com or call Pam Williams: 248-836-7499. New members welcome.

JULY July 8, Grand Rapids 7:00-8:30pm
All are welcome to the monthly meeting of the Story Spinners of Grand Rapids. Business meeting 7:00. Storytelling 7:30-8:30pm. At the Story Café, 444 Leonard NW. Contact storyspinners@gmail.com http://www.storyspinners.org/events.html.

** July 22-27, Phoenix, AZ
Come to participate or to sit back and be entertained at the National Storytelling Conference. Register for 1 day or for the whole kit & kaboodle. Enjoy almost a full week of preconference intensives on applied storytelling, day long master classes, workshops, showcases, concerts, slams, swaps and the National Storytelling Fringe. Storytelling illuminates who we are as individuals and as a community. Stories light the fire of joy and laughter. Join us in the Valley of the Sun at the 2014 National Storytelling Conference for education and inspiration through the Fire & Light of story. Info: www.storynet.org Michigan Connection: Judy Sima “My Mother’s Voice” Fringe.

July 23, Bay City 11:30-12:30
“Stories in the Park” – Young Peoples Summer Series, Highly interactive, entertaining, educational and fun storytelling concert for the youth & families with storyteller, Ivory Williams. Wenonah Park, Free and open to the public. Contact: Matthew Reid 989-860-0375

July 29 - August 2, Jonesborough, TN
Michigan’s own, Corinne Stavish returns for her fifth appearance as a Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center. http://www.storytellingcenter.net/events/storytelling-live/tir-schedule/corinne-stavish/ For additional information, call: 800.952.8392

WELCOME!

Here you will find information about storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan storytelling, national, & regional organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit theBulletin Board page for the latest information.

An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of MI Story. MI Story is published by: Yvonne Healy, Editor-in-Chief; Judy Sima, Distribution Editor; Lois Sprengnether Keel, Webmaster.

To view the current issue or a past issue of MI Story, click on the Recent Posts of interest.

51% or greater Spoken Word/Narrative;

open to the General Public;

feature either Michigan storyteller or Michigan location.

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Transition of MI Story Archive

This site has moved to Blogger while keeping the domain name of http://www.michiganstorytelling.org . Because all issues prior to this move were added at one time, the listing of the first two years' issues is misleading. To find each individual month for those initial two years, look under April, 2010.

About Me

For the best overview of my work, go to my website at http://www.LoiS-sez.com, however you will find me in many places beyond that!

My storytelling takes you Around the World & Back Through Time with folktales to match your topic or historical reenactments. While most of my storytelling has been in Michigan, I've told in other states, the territory of Puerto Rico, plus Canada, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, & St. Kitts. My Theatre undergraduate degree influences my storytelling & graduate degree in Library Science leads me to research widely. Starting in 1970, I've years of storytelling experience. Until 2006, this was combined with librarianship. That year I was accepted into the MI performing arts touring directory & left Mount Clemens Public Library (where I was in charge of Children's Services) for full-time storytelling. My current listing with MI Arts & Humanities Directory was renewed & runs through 2018. My passion for supporting storytelling includes storytelling organizations, hosting http://MichiganStorytelling.org & founded Mt.C. Raconteurs & North Oakland County Storytellers, serving their 1st 2 yrs. as president. I was also a long-time active member of Flint Area Story Tellers. FAST and the Raconteurs are currently dormant. I also love to teach storytelling. I believe exposure to storytelling is critical to the acceptance of this art & foundational to language skills. Online I am an assistant administrator for the international network of storytellers at http://professionalstoryteller.ning.com. I'm the National Storytelling Network's Michigan State Liaison and for many years was on the Board of Youth, Educators, Storytellers (Y.E.S.!) Alliance as their webmaster. I also am a certified WordWeaving instructor, a teaching method especially suited to teachers & librarians, but useful for any beginning storytellers. I've training from V.S.A. Arts & have done both residency & special event work for this organization focused on bringing the arts to the disabled. I wrote a portion of the book, Tell the World; Storytelling Across Language Barriers, compiled & edited by Margaret Read MacDonald. My chapter was about telling with Sign Language.

Besides my website there's my blog of research topics related to my work at Storytelling + Research = LoiS and now includes a Civil War Sesquicentennial blog, Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Infantry, where I posted the newspaper articles about this regiment which has been little documented, but was part of the reason Abraham Lincoln said "Thank God for Michigan!" as they engaged in most major battles of the Civil War. I hope you visit both the blog and my website, http://www.LoiS-sez.com.